Young couples buy their first home together in anticipation of filling it with happy memories over the years.

So why wait until after the closing to start on those memories?

In Franklin and Mt. Juliet, two young couples are beginning their lives together in their new homes with one happy memory already made. Each was the place where the young gentleman asked for the lady's hand in marriage.

In both cases, the answer was “yes.”

“What a wonderful memory. It’s as romantic as it can be,” said Realtor Julia Wood. The couple, Kathleen Engstrand and John Baugh, purchased a home in Franklin in early July.

Realtor Dondi Delk had a similar experience when her clients, Danielle Houston and Dave Shatto, purchased a house in Mt. Juliet.

“We were doing the final walk-through. He got down on one knee and said, ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you,’ ” said Delk. “I teared up. I cried.”

Dave Shatto proposed to Danielle Houston during the final walk-through for their recently purchased house in Mt. Juliet.(Photo: Submitted)

Tricky planning pays off

It was a first for both Realtors, who are affiliated with Benchmark. Usually couples buying their first house together are focused on making the biggest investment of their lives. The process is more tense than romantic.

“Usually they’re fighting when buying a home. Not really fighting, but it’s something they have to agree on,” said Delk.

Even so, both Realtors wonder if they are seeing the beginning of a trend.

“I’ve never heard of this before,” said Wood. “It’s so cute.”

Just like buying a home, proposing marriage in a house you don’t yet own can take a bit of planning.

Houston almost missed the moment. She had made plans to let Shatto handle a final walk-through at the house while she worked. Luckily, her boss was in on the secret and gave her the day off.

Dave Shatto and Danielle Houston got engaged during the final walk-through for their new house in Mt. Juliet.(Photo: Submitted)

“Everyone knew but me,” said Houston. “He started getting down on one knee. Then he pulled out the ring. I was shocked and almost didn’t say yes. I didn’t know what was happening.”

Now she and Shatto are looking forward to their wedding in October and eventually starting a family in their new home, a four-bedroom ranch house located near Old Hickory Lake.

“It has great karma,” said Houston.

John Baugh, right, proposed to Kathleen Engstrand at their Franklin home, which they will close on in mid-August.(Photo: Eric Perry)

'Rose petals everywhere'

Baugh also carefully prepared for his proposal after asking Engstrand’s father for permission to marry his daughter. Her father mentioned that he proposed to her mother on the one-year anniversary of their first date. So that’s what Baugh planned to do.

Wood thought proposing at their future home would be incredibly romantic, but as a Realtor she was concerned about liability.

The sellers, Diane Curtis and her husband, Shannon, quickly gave permission for candles and flowers — lots of flowers — at the house. Their daughter and her husband previously lived in the house, which is located on five acres near the Williamson County Agricultural Center.

Rose petals arranged into the shape of a heart gave Kathleen Engstrand a clue that more than a home inspection was afoot at her and John Baugh's new home in Franklin.(Photo: Eric Perry)

“It was so unusual and so romantic,” said Diane Curtis. “Rose petals everywhere and candles everywhere.”

Engstrand said she had no idea what was about to happen when Baugh asked her to go see the house.

“I thought he was being romantic, saying let’s see the house on our anniversary,” she said. “We drove up and I saw rose petals,” which were arranged in the shape of a heart by the door.

She knew something more than a home inspection was happening when she saw her parents and close friends at the house. Then Wood arrived and placed a “pending” sign in the front yard.

“It was beyond perfect,” said Engstrand.

They close on their house in mid-August and have set the date for the wedding next May.